Rambhau Ingole- Pioneer of Vimalashram - an institution working for children of prostitutes - Nagpur

Rahibai Popere - Banker of seeds of rare crops - Ahmednagar
Rahibai Popere, known as the mother of seeds, is based in Kombhalne in Akole
tehsil. This 58 year-old unlettered woman started the first seed bank in her
hut in an adivasi area. Earlier she used to keep seeds in ash in a earthen
pot. She has been named among the 100 inspiring women in the world by BBC.
She has stored 114 types of seeds and provides them to whoever asks for it
and also encourages others to do it. Due to her efforts many seed banks have
been formed in the state and received recognition in 1997 through Baif
Sanstha. Rahibai Popere has reached 30,000 adivasi women through bachat
groups and started homestead gardens for non-hybrid seeds. These gardens
have increased the quality of life of adivasis while lowering diseases
caused by hybrid seeds and malnutrition. She started the Kalsubai Sthanik
Biyane Savardhan Samiti which has conserved 14 varieties of rice, various
types of vegetables and medical plants.

Rambhau Ingole- Pioneer of Vimalashram - an institution working for children of prostitutes - Nagpur
Rambhau has lent his name to the children of prostitutes. Despite avow of
celibacy and no financial resources, Rambhau is looking after hundreds of
children of prostitutes. He is imparting them good education,culture,
lodging and boarding and goes from door to door to arrange for funds. His
relatives, friends and society shunned him for looking after the children of
prostitutes. Landlords turned him out after learning about the children.
Many times the children could not get two square meals.Now the same society,
which shunned him, has saluted his mission. Rambhau established Vimlashram
in 1980 and the girls under his care became stable and he found grooms for
them. Thirteen such girls are living happily married lives.Four girl inmates
have become engineers and are working in big companies. One boy has
completed engineering while eight girls have become post-graduates and are
earning well.

Chetna Vijay Sinha (Satara)
Chetna brought economic prosperity to women residing in rural and
drought-prone areas and brought international recognition to Mhaswad. The
Maan Deshi Foundation has started fodder camps in famine struck Maan tehsil
without any government help. She was nominated as co-president of the World
Economic Forum in 2018 held at Davos in Switzerland. The forum announced a
fund of Rs.100 crores for increasing women's industry. Chetna Sinha had
participated in the Jayprakash Narayan movement during the Emergency and
also in the Shetkari Sanghatna. She started Maan Deshi Radio for development
of the area. Maan Deshi Foundation was started in 1996 and later a Maan
Deshi Mahila Bank was set up. A professional skill training school for women
was started in 2006. Maan Deshi Udyogini business school helped hundreds of
women to become entrepreneurs. Ten thousand girls were distributed free
bicycles. Concrete barricades were built to conserve water in this
drought-prone tehsil. She was invited for the Clinton global initiative in
2011.

Pratibha Shinde - Social worker fighting for rights of tribal women - Taloda Dist- Nandurbar
This activist of adivasi rights shot into fame when a 30,000 strong adivasi
morcha besieged the Vidhan Bhavan in 2018 and forced the government to
publish a GR for disposal of forest land cases. During the year, 10,000
cases in Nandurbar and 2,200 cases in Jalgaon were disposed of. Pratibha had
staged a 5,000 strong march from Jalgaon to Mumbai in 2012 for
implementation of the Forest Rights Act.She is also active in the All India
Kisan Sangharsh Samanvay Samitiand is known as a fighter for water, jungle,
land and adivasi rights over natural resources. She helped in staging
agitations in Delhi for farmers' rights. Her victory in getting the Forests
Rights Act being tabled and passed in Parliament with amendments for more
benefits is well recognised. She started the Lok Sangharsh Morcha to legally
fight for the rehabilitation of adivasis affected by the Sardar Sarovar
Project.

Dutta Bargaje - Guardian serveral HIV+ families - Pali, Beed
Datta Bargaje and Sandhya Bargaje started the Infant India organisation for
75 HIV affected children near Beed city. The work of this organisation is
very inspiring. Datta Bargaje (48) was working as a lab technician in a
primary health centre and his wife was a college teacher when he met Baba
Amte. He then decided to work for HIV affected children and established
'Infant India' in 2006.The children did not need simple care but also
education. There was opposition by ZP schools to admit them. Finally ZP
nominated two teachers to teach the children in the ashram. The organisation
also runs Anandvan, Aadhar Mahilashram and Navjeevan projects. Anandvan
started in 2006 with six children and now has 75 children. They are given
nutritious food, essential medicines, education and good atmosphere to
recover quickly. Aadhar Mahilashram looks after AIDS-affected women. Four
girls were married off under the KanyadaanYojana.

Sports

Anuja Patil - Cricketer - Kolhapur

Bhagyashree Fand - Wrestler - Ahmednagar

Jemimah Rodrigues - Cricketer - Mumbai

Om Rajesh Awasthi - Swimmer - Solapur

Rahul Aware - International Wrestler - Patoda, Beed

Rahul Aware (Beed):
Rahul Aware won gold medal for the country in the 57 kg wrestling final in
the Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast in 2018. A resident of Patoda village
in Beed district, he is a student of Harishchandra Birajdar and KakaPawar.
He had easily overwhelmed his opponents in the Youth Commonwealth Games in
Pune in 2008.He also won a gold medal in Junior Asian wrestling competition
in Uzbekistan in 2009. Aware also achieved success in the same year in
German grappling and bronze medal in Golden grapple in 2010. In 2011, Rahul
won the gold medal in the senior division at the Melbourne Commonwealth
Games. He also bagged a bronze medal in the same year in the Asian
championship. In 2014 he reached the quarter finals of world competition.
Rahul has regularly participated in the national competitions and won seven
times at the senior level. He is the only wrestler from Marathwada with
these credentials. He has been honoured with the Shiv Chhatrapati Puraskar
by the state government.

Bhagyashree Fund (International Wrestler)
International wrestler Bhagyashree is a resident of Takli Lonar in
Ahmednagar district. Inspired by her father Hanumant Fund, she focused on
wrestling from Class 4 and used to grapple for hours with her sister on the
terrace. She is the only sportswoman who won a medal at a very young age in
the Asian Games. She bagged a silver during the Asian sub-junior games at
Japan in November last year. Bhagyashree is presently studying in Class IX
in Alandi. She took primary lessons in wrestling at Chhatisgarh and trained
in Pune. Her ambition is to win a gold medal in the 2024 Olympic games. She
is also the only female wrestler who can do the reverse flip jump and
continuously do 1500 push-ups. Bhagyashree bagged gold in the 57 kg group in
Khelo India in 2017 and showed her mettle during the D G Sports of Central
Security Force. She bagged silver in the National competition in 2016. It
was she who topped in the under-15 age category at the national level. She
has so far taken five gold medals at the national level and 12 golds at the
state level. Significantly she is the Maharashtra brand ambassador for the
'Beti bachao, beti padhao' campaign.

Jemimah Rodrigues (International cricketer)
Eighteen-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues made 81 runs not out during a match
against the New Zealand team recently. Born in Bhandup, Jemimah first took
hold of a bat when she was four years old and started her journey in
cricket. Her father Ivan was forced to relocate to Bandra for his
cricket-crazy daughter. She took her first lessons from her father and was
selected in the Mumbai Under-19 cricket team when she was 13. She came into
the national limelight after making 202 runs in 163 balls in a match against
Saurashtra in 2017. Jemimah scored double century in 50 overs cricket and is
the second woman in India,after Smriti Mandhana, to accomplish this feat.
Earlier Jemimah made 178 runs in 142 balls against Gujarat in the Under-19
match.She was selected in the national team at the age of 18 and was
selected for the Indian team to play against South Africa in 2018. She has
also represented India in the T-20 World Cup and is among the opening
batswomen. She was honoured with the Jagmohan Dalmiya Puraskar by BCCI for
outstanding woman cricketer of India.

Om Rajesh Awasthi (International swimmer, Solapur):
'Solapur's Shark' Om Awasthi is only 16 and loves diving. Compared to
swimming, diving is not given any prominence in India. But Om has firmly
decided to make his career in this sport. Diving is his life and he has
showed it by winning a gold medal and two silvers in two international
competitions.He is selected in the possible teams for the 2020 and 2024
Olympics.Om turned towards diving at the age of 10 and showed his skills by
winning a gold medal in the national competition. His skills are scaling new
heights for the last six years. During the South Asian Aquatic Championship
at Sri Lanka in 2016, he won the gold and also silver in one metre and three
metres spring board during the same games. He was selected among the top
five during the Pacific School Games in 2015-16 in Australia. He does not
have any competitor in India. So far he has won 13 gold medals, six silver
medals and one bronze in nine national competitions. The Class X student has
also won 28 gold medals and two silvers in state level competitions.

Anuja Patil (International cricketer)
Anuja Patil captained India A team against Bangladesh A team in one day
cricket in 2017. In October 2018, she was selected to play in the Indian
team for T-20 in Sri Lanka. In 2018 she was given the opportunity to captain
the team for the second year and led the India A team. She has also
represented India in the T-20 World Cup. Born to a rickshaw driver in
Kolhapur, Anuja trained with boys at Shahu Sports Club when she was in Class
VIII and became an all-rounder in a short time. In six matches, she claimed
a record run-out of 20 batswomen. In the Under-19 Western Division match,
she took four wickets. She was honoured with the 'Best Upcoming Player'
prize. She was selected in the India team for the World T-20 cricket match
in Sri Lanka in 2012 and made a half century against Pakistan.

Film - Male

Ashok Saraf - Mi Shavaji Park (19-10-2018) - Mumbai

Nagraj Manjule - Naal (16-11-2018) - Mumbai

Swapnil Joshi - Mumbai Pune Mumbai 3 (7-12-2018)

Swanand Kirkire - Chumbak (27-07-2018) -Mumbai

Subodh Bhave - Ani Dr Kashinath Ghanekar (7-11-2018) - Mumbai

Swapnil Joshi - Mumbai Pune Mumbai 3 (7-12-2018)
The third part of ‘Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai’ was released in 2018. The character of Gauram portrayed by Swapnil Joshi has already etched itself in the mind of the audience in the preceding 2 parts. Now his portrayal in the third part of the film has held the audience spellbound. The film opens with the happy family of Gautam (Swapnil Joshi) and Gauri (Mukta Barve). All is hunky and dory. Both are busy with their career and family. Their struggle has paid off and now their professional life is all set to take off. Just then an unthought-of and unpredictable thing happens. They learn that they are going to become parents. This is a great shock for them. This news also brings involvement of all their family members in their future decision. Though the character of Gautam is outspoken, this incident makes him confused. He can not express what goes on in his mind. Swapnil beautifully portrays the mental condition of a confused career-oriented person who is at the crossroads of his professional growth.

Nagraj Manjule - Naal (16-11-2018) - Mumbai
Nagraj Manjule is known for his path breaking stories, deft direction and out of the box ideas. A coveted director and writer, Nagraj Manjule achieved a milestone in Marathi film industry by collecting over Rs 100 crore at the box office. Nagraj enjoys writing, direction and acting equally. He is also a poet. With the movie ‘Naal’, he has donned the role of a producer. The movie is directed by Sudhakar Reddy. The movie is based on an 8-year-old mischievous kid Chaitanya. Chaitanya lives in a remote village located on a bank of a river. Shrinivas Pokle played Chaitanya while Nagraj Manjule is his father in the movie. Dialogues of the movie are by Nagraj. ‘Naal’ can be dubbed as yet another captivating and a path breaking art work by Nagraj Manjule.

Subodh Bhave - Ani Dr Kashinath Ghanekar (7-11-2018) - Mumbai
Subodh Bhave is a dominating theatre person. His brilliant performance in the ‘Ani... Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar’ is based on the life journey of yesteryear’s theatre personality Dr Kashinath Ghanekar. Subodh has played lead role of Dr Kashinath Ghanekar in the movie. His devoted performance has impressed the critics. It is evident with that he had entered into the character and portrayed Dr Ghanekar larger than life on the screen. He perfectly matched the look and style of Dr Ghanekar and presented the doctor’s anxiety, courage, nonchalance and his obsession with acting. The movie was a hit and was talk of the town. He brought alive every scene with his intuitive performance. With this movie, Subodh has become a bankable actor.

Swanand Kirkire - Chumbak (27-07-2018) -Mumbai
Swanand Kirkire is known to as a noted musician, singer and lyricist. With a dream in his mind to become a successful director, Swanand’s journey from various fields has now reached to performing. Swanand played role of Prasanna Thombre in the movie ‘Chumbak’. We tend to distance ourself from certain things but those things continue to follow us. Just like ‘Murphy’s law’. We try to avoid some persons but the same people cross path with. ‘Chumbak’ is based on this fact. With his electric performance, Swanand has portrayed the strong character of Prasanna. His body language in the movie showcases abnormality of the character. His character stands strongly through Swanand’s emotive body language even before he delivers the dialogues. Story of ‘Chumbak’ is very different from today’s cinema but it won the hearts of film lovers. Though this was a maiden effort by Swanand in the field of acting, he has given a sterling performance.

Ashok Saraf - Mi Shavaji Park (19-10-2018) - Mumbai
Riddled by the system, five senior citizens have expressed their plight in the movie ‘Mi Shivaji Park’ which has a tag line of “Goddess of justice is blind, but we were sighted”. An impressive story of how five senior citizens with different backgrounds join hands to get justice in a case. Legendary actor Ashok Saraf has played the role of empathetic police constable Digambar Sawant. He has showcased a character of a person who lives on his own terms but does not share his pain with anyone. The legendary actor has once again mesmerised the audience with his artistic performance. The veteran actor has recently completed 50 years of his acting career. Be it theatre, television or movies, Ashok Saraf is a true legend. Ashok Saraf will be known for his perfectly timed humour which has made movie lovers laugh. He has created his own space in the hearts of cinema lovers. A multi-faceted actor, Ashok Saraf is a household name in Maharashtra.

Film – Female

Devika Daftardar - Naal (16-11-2018) - Mumbai

Kalyani Muley - Nude (27-04-2018) -Mumbai

Madhuri Dixit - Bucket List (25-05-2018)- Mumbai

Priya Bapat - Aamhi Doghi (23-02-2018) - Mumbai

Vaidehi Parshurami - Ani Dr Kashinath Ghanekar (7-11-2018) - Mumbai

Devika Daftardar – ‘Naal’
Devika Daftardar’s role in film 'Naal' was noteworthy. She has played the role of a doting mother to her adopted child and loves him more than herself. She does not allow him to understand, on the basis of her love, that she is his adopted mother. But the son becomes aloof, when he realises that she is not his real mother and wants to meet his biological mother. During this transition, the agony of a mother is effectively portrayed by Devika. ‘Naal’ film has evoked very good response from the audience and Devika’s acting has been widely appreciated. Devika Daftardar entered Marathi films in 2004 and till date has played many challenging roles, endearing herself to the people.

Vaidehi Parshurami – Ani… Dr Kashinath Ghanekar
Vaidehi Parshurami entered Marathi films in 2013. She has also worked in Hindi films. Recently, her film 'Ani… Dr Kashinath Ghanekar' has been released. The film is based during the 1960s and tells the story of the rise and end of actor Dr Kashinath Ghanekar. He had changed the face of Marathi stage. This film has been directed by Abhijeet Deshpande. Vaidehi has played the role of Kanchan Ghanekar, the wife of Kashinath. She has effectively played the role of the wife at a very young age.

Kalyanee Mulay – ‘Nude’
Kalyanee Mulay is a stage artiste and has worked in several plays. She was selected to play a role in film ‘Nude’ by director Ravi Jadhav. While working with director Prashant Hire in Nashik she got a call from National School of Drama, Delhi. She went to the school and after hard work proved her mettle. She worked in many Hindi dramas, serials and ad films. She has played the role of a model Yamuna in the film ‘Nude’. She prepared for the role by meeting various nude models and attending workshops. In the film, she works as a nude model in college to pay for her son’s education. She first enters this profession because of economic necessity but later begins to love it. She has showcased various incidents in her life in the film. Her role as Yamuna is memorable. Due to circumstances, she was forced to strip in front of students. But her emotions portrayed while stripping are memorable.

Madhuri Dixit - Bucket List
Bollywood’s ‘Dhakdhak’ girl Madhuri Dixit has made a debut in Marathi films through the film ‘Bucket List’. She plays the role of Madhura, a simple and dedicated housewife. After receiving a heart transplant, she decides to fulfill the wishes of her deceased donor. She has managed to play the roles of two individuals in the film. A woman engrossed in her family, forgets herself completely. The film ‘Bucket List’ gives the hope of living life anew. There were rumours since many years of Madhuri Dixit starting work in Marathi films but were only finalised with her role in this film. This film is a feast for fans of Madhuri Dixit. She has effectively portrayed the role of Madhura in the film.

Priya Bapat - Aamhi Doghi
Priya Bapat began her career as a child artiste in films. She has portrayed several quality and challenging roles in Marathi and Hindi films. The story in Amhi Doghi revolves around two protagonists Amla and Savitri Sardesai. Both are totally different people but are brought together by fate.The film not only portrays the relations between the two but also between father and daughter, husband and wife, mother and daughter, and between a beloved and her lover. Priya has effectively portrayed her role and endeared herself to the audience.

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Ajay Gogavale (Redu – Devak kalji re)
Despite no background in music, Ajay Gogavale created a niche for himself in the field of music. He has given background music and also sung songs for several films. Many of his songs have become memorable and his song in 'Redu' film ‘Devak kalji re’ received a state level award. Film ‘Redu’ which dramatises rural life uses Marathi and Malvani languages. Urban people have an opportunity to view the natural beauty of the Konkan region and culture through this film. The main protagonists are played by actors Shashank Shende and Chhaya Kadam. The song ‘Devak kalji re’ has been penned by Guru Thakur and music has been composed by Vijay Narayan Gavande. Ajay Gogavale’s name is not only limited to Marathi films but has also won a fan-following through his work in Bollywood films.

Bosco Caesar - Choreographer - Dhuvun Tak Song - Mauli (14-12-2018) Mumbai
Song ‘Dhuvun tak’ in the film Mauli has become very popular. This song has been choreographed by Bosco Martin and Caesar Gonsalves known as the renowned ‘Bosco-Caesar’ in the film industry. The song is based on ‘Holi’ festival and Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza Deshmukh have danced on this song. The choreography is so superb that the audience begins tapping as soon as the song starts.
The song is at the start of the film and both the song and the film have received good response. Bosco-Caesar have so far choreographed 75 films and 200 songs. Both began their careers as back up dancers for choreographers Lollipop and Farah Khan. They began working independently since 1994 and received National Award in 2011.

Poornima Oak – Costume designer
Poornima Oak is an Indian costume designer working in Hindi films for the last two decades. She effectively drapes the actors to give justice to the characters. She designed the costume for the film ‘Farzand’. She studied every character and designed the costumes. Poornima Oak has ably designed the costumes of the Shivaji era and brought the bygone period alive on the screen.

Vikram Gaikwad – Make-up Artist (Ani... Dr Kashinath Ghanekar)
Vikram Gaikwad has been a Rangbhusha (Makeup artist) to various characters in Bollywood and Marathi films. Some months ago, he took up the responsibility of casting in the film Kashinath Ghanekar. Through Gaikwad’s artistic touch, the character of Kashinath Ghanekar appears extremely realistic. Ghanekar faced many ups and downs in his life, all depicted in the film. Vikram Gaikwad’s touch has recreated the characters in the film.

Theatre - Male

Astad Kale - Tila Kahi Sangaychay (November 2018) -Mumbai

Bharat Jadhav - Once More ( June 2018) - Mumbai

Mohan Joshi - Natsamrat (November 2018) - Mumbai

Prashant Damle - Eka Lagnachi Pudhchi Goshta (November 2018) - Mumbai

Vaibhav Mangle - Albatya Galbatya (May 2018) -Mumbai

Prashant Damle (Eka Lagnache Pudchi Gosht)
Prashant Damle began his career in 1986 and has been working on stage since 36 years. Presently his drama 'Eka Lagnache Pudchi Gosht' is a hit.
The drama stars Kavita Lad and Prashant Damle in the main roles, and has become popular with thetre goers. His song 'Mala sanga sukh manje nakki kai astand' is very popular. Prashant Damle plays the role of Manojji (Manya). The play deals with how after many years of married life, relations between the husband and wife change, how their responsibilities affect their
relations, depicted in this light drama. Many people who had watched 'Eka lagnache gosht' are coming to watch 'Eka lagnache pudchi gosht'. Prashant Damle is definitely the most successful artiste of
the stage.

Aastad Kale (Tela kahi sangayache aahe)
Aastad Kale began his career on the stage. He began taking classical
music lessons when he was four years old and has studied theatrefor about 15
years. He has also worked in serials, films and drama. Aastad's drama
'Tela kahi sangayache aahe' has received excellent response from theatre lovers.
It is the story of Yash Patwardhan and Mitali Sahastrabuddhe. Yash is a top official in the corporate sector while Mitali works in a social
organisation. Yash loves his wife, has traditional values and after seeing his wife's closeness with her colleague he becomes affected.
After she makes an explosive clarification, his world is destroyed. All this is portrayed sensitively by Aastad. The language and dialogues are close
to the hearts of the young generation. Aastad's successful work has endeared him to the audience.

Bharat Jadhav (Once more)
Bharat Jadhav's name is among the top Marathi actors. His name alone
ensures house full boards at theatres. Bharat Jadhav has given many hit
films to the Marathi industry. His dramas too are a hit. One of his dramas presently is 'Once more'. In this drama, Bharat plays the character of
Jeevan Deshmukh. Jeevan and Niyati Deshmukh are happily married and have a school going son Lalu. They were planning another child to be a companion to Lalu, when the government decrees one child per couple. The
serious issue of a single child has been enacted in a light hearted manner. The drama keeps the audience laughing. Bharat has played the role of Jeevan masterfully. 'Once more' has been enthusiastically
received by the audience. Nipun Dharmadhikari’s directorial touch has made this a real piece of performance art.

Mohan Joshi (Natsamrat)
Mohan Joshi began his career in Pune's theatre circles. Be it the stage, serials or films, Mohan Joshi has left his mark. Through 'Natsamrat'
he has given a memorable performance. Asking 'Kune ghar deta ka ghar', Mohan Joshi has again made alive the character of Appasaheb Belvalkar.
Adapted from William Shakespeare's tragedy, V V Shirwadkar wrote the drama 'Natsamrat'. During the seventies, this drama created history.
Nana Patekar selected Mohan Joshi for the role. Rohini Hattangadi plays his wife Kaveri. Harikesh Joshi has directed the drama. The drama always evokes strong sentiments among Marathi audience and has received an encore through the response to this drama again. Mohan Joshi's portrayal of
Appasaheb Belvalkar moves the audience to tears.

Vaibhav Mangle (Albattya galbattya)
Vaibhav Mangle has endeared himself to the audience on the strength of
his acting. Vaibhav Mangle has worked in serials, films and plays. 'Albatya Galbatya' the hit drama from the seventies has been brought alive
once again by Vaibhav. Vaibhav plays the role of a witch. This drama
peeps inside the world of children. A king wanted to marry off his daughter but according to her horoscope, her marriage was destined to be to a man named Albatya galbatya. The king does not accept it and keeps his daughter under house arrest. The king then announced the execution to Albatya. On the other side, the witch wants to rule the
world. She has a magical matchbox. She cunningly takes this matchbox from a man named Albatya Galbatya alias Albatrao Galbatrao.
The drama has been written by Ratnakar Matkari and directed by Chinmay Mandlekar and has won accolades from the audience. Vaibhav Mangle has won the hearts of the young audience with his portrayal.

Theatre - Female

Gauri Ingawale - Ovi - Mumbai

Hemangi Kavi - Ovi - Mumbai

Kavita Lad - Eka Lagnachi Pudhchi Goshta (November 2018) - Mumbai

Mayuri Deshmukh - Dear Aajo (April 2018) - Mumbai

Tejashree Pradhan - Tila Kahi Sangaychay (November 2018) - Mumbai

Kavita Lad - Eka Lagnachi Pudhchi Goshta (November 2018) - Mumbai
Some years back, actors Prashant Damle and Kavita Lad’s Marathi play Eka Lagnachi Gosht had become immensely popular. Now its second version, Eka Lagnachi Pudhchi Gosht is pulling crowds in theatres all across the state. The play depicts the changes of the relationship between the husband and the wife several years after the marriage. In a lighter vein, the play unravels how social and family responsibilities affect or change the relations among couples. The play has been directed by Adwait Dadarkar and Kavita Lad has portrayed the role of Manisha and her role has been liked by housewives. She has successfully demonstrated what ploys wives use to keep their husbands loyal to them and distanced from adultery. The play has evoked curiosity not just among Marathi speaking people but also among non-Marathi spectators. Kavita Lad has created a niche for herself in theatre, soap operas and also films because of her down to earth and sincere acting.

Mayuri Deshmukh - Dear Aajo (April 2018) - Mumbai
In 2018, the play Dear Aajo, written and directed by Mayuri Deshmukh, was released. This is her first play and the two-act play demonstrates the generation gap between parents and their children. Shanu belongs to the Millennium generation and she had been born and brought up in Atlanta, USA. After her parents’ death, her widowed grandpa brings her to India. The play Dear Aajo ably describes the pulls and tensions between the grandpa, who belongs to genre of the old traditional parents, and 18-year-old Shanu. The play depicts their ideological differences, thought processes and all in a lighter vein.

Tejashree Pradhan - Tila Kahi Sangaychay (November 2018) - Mumbai
The marathi play ‘Tila Kahi Sangaychay’, enacted by Tejashree Pradhan has become successful play. Tejashree has portrayed the role of Mitali in the play while Aastad Kale is in the lead role. The play has earned popularity as a revolutionary play because it deals with the husband-wife relationship and the delicate issues that crop up among them. Mitali Sahasrabudhe and Yash Patwardhan form a couple. Yash works in corporate sector and and Mitali is a women’s liberation activist. They come together for a street play and enter the wedlock. However, on the very first anniversary, some well-wishers create trouble in their relationship and they start talking of separation. Tejashree has enacted the role of Mitali efficiently and given a new dimension to the play.

Gauri Ingawale - Ovi - Mumbai
The child artist Gauri Ingawale made her debut on silver screen in 2018. Her play Owi has recently been released. In 2017, Owi’s was one act play which now has converted as two-act play. Director Mahesh Manjrekar’s Ashwami Theatres has brought this play on stage and Gauri Ingawale and Hemangi Kavi are in lead roles. The play is a mystery drama. Owi, a small orphan child, lives with her maternal uncle who takes her to an orphanage and how the atmosphere at orphanage makes impressions on the tender mind of Owi. The play depicts the petrified Owi as she fights against all odds.

Hemangi Kavi - Ovi - Mumbai
Hemangi Kavi has captivated the audiences by her acting in soap operas, the stage and also the screen. Owi which was released in 2017 as a one act play now has been released as a two-act play by Mahesh Manjrekar’s Ashwami Theatres. The play has roles played by Gauri Ingawale and Hemangi Kavi. Hemangi has enacted the role of Samidhatai, the foster elder sister of Gauri in an orphanage. It deals more with psychological changes in the child’s mind.

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Teacher

Bharat Patil - ZP school Dhunde - Nashik

Godavari Tambekar - Buldhana

Ranjeetsingh Disale - ZP school Paritewadi - Solapur

Shafi Shaikh - ZP school Dhanki - Yavatmal

Sunil Alurkar - ZP school Mungashi - Nanded

Ranjeetsingh Disale - ZP school Paritewadi - SolapurRanjitsingh Desale 'Guruji' has changed the traditional system of education and has brought about a revolution in the education sector. He has given a digital touch to education through QR Code and Virtual Field Trip. He has been honoured four times with the Microsoft Innovative Education Expert award by Microsoft company. His first experiment was Q R Code, which was stuck on every lesson in the students’ text books and digitalised the books in Paritewadi. If a mobile is held over the QR Code by the student, the video of the lesson and audio clip can be seen. This method increased the students’ efficiency in understanding the lesson. This method is being replicated in other schools by Balbharati and all text books in Maharashtra are printed with QR Code. Under the Virtual Field Trip, students are given digital information about subjects including interactions with people from 88 countries.

Sunil Alurkar - ZP school Mungashi - Nanded
Sunil Alurkar, who is giving technology lessons to teachers, is a teacher at the Zilla Parishad School, Mungshi in Nanded district. Despite difficult circumstances, Alurkar has changed the face of his school and received the President’s award. In 2011 he started ‘zpguruji.com’ which has encapsulated information on difficult technologies in simple language and videos. This website gives free digital information on any subject and the website has become very popular. He records videos of his lectures and gives them to absent students. Students in his class are seen watching video lessons through projectors. If a student does not understand a math problem, he shows him the video. The daily video-taped lectures have become extremely beneficial. When the Maharashtra Chief Minister learnt about this innovation, he called the entire class to his office in Mumbai and sought the information. Now many schools in Maharashtra are using these methods.

Bharat Patil - ZP school Dhunde - Nashik
Bharat Patil started his career in 2011 in Malinagar school, which had a single two-in-one radio. Cassettes were used to teach the students. Patil borrowed a tab and began teaching the students on it. As this experiment benefitted the students, the guardians supported him. He then bought a mobile and began developing different apps and increased students’ participation. On January 26 in 2015 Malinagar school became the first school in the district to use tabs. Today the students create videos and apps through tabs. All have mail IDs and even a YouTube channel. Some students have created e-poetry. About a hundred schools and three to four thousand persons have visited Malinagar school and sought information. The school currently has digital equipment and a e-library which has 6,000 books and Bharat Patil wants to make it a school-bag free school.

Shafi Shaikh - ZP school Dhanki - Yavatmal
Teacher Shafi Shaikh and his colleagues decided to raise money to purchase digital equipment by renting out excess school land for farming. This innovative idea was upheld by education officer Sucheta Patkar and this helped change the infrastructure of many schools in the district. After buying the digital equipment, Shaikh arranged wireless internet facility from a five km distance with a receiver on the school roof. This second innovative idea is being replicated in many remote schools. There were no trees in the school and 28 trees were planted while four classrooms have become digital. A WhatsApp group was formed to disseminate information to others and also to solve issues. Skype is used to interact with students from other schools in the world. He has also been nominated as a member of Virtual Global Classroom.

Godavari Tambekar - Buldhana
The government has started Pragat Shaikshanik Maharashtra programme but there were no funds and many schools became digital through public donations. Teacher Godavari Tambekar paid out of her pocket for many needed things and gave it to the school. E-lessons were produced on English general knowledge, math etc and uploaded to her own YouTube channel, which has 800 videos and 33.59 lakh views. Godavari has created the largest number of videos in the state and she has been instrumental in creating digital educational programmes and reaching it to students throughout the state. She began shooting her own videos after girl students did not find the male voiceover impressive. Slowly her efforts evolved into popular videos. She contributes two hours every night to shoot the videos. She has also created a free Android app to provide all information on all subjects for all classes.

Medical (Doctor) Maharashtra

Dr. Jagannath Dixit, Specialist in Public Health, Latur

Dr. Lokendra Singh, Neurosurgeon, Nagpur

Dr. Pravin Suryvanshi, MGM, Aurangabad

Dr. Ranjit Jagtap, Cardiolgist, Pune

Dr. Vijay Kakatkar, Orthopedic, Nasik

Dr. Lokendra Singh, Neurosurgeon, Nagpur The prestigious 'Central India Institute of Medical Science' (CIIMS) in Nagpur city has always been a hope for ordinary and poor patients. Famous neurosurgeon Dr. Lokendra Singh has contributed a lion’s share to making this institute a name to reckon with. He took over the responsibility as director of 'CIIMS' within three years of his appointment. He was instrumental in ensuring that patients received charitable donations of more than Rs 2,97, 61,163 in 2018. Over the past years, the number of OPDs, IPDs and neurosurgeries has increased by ten per cent due to the hospital's transparency and expert doctors.
Dr. Lokendra Singh was born on July17,1957. After MBBS, he passed the MS (Surgery), M.H. (Neurosurgery), DNB (neurosurgery), and used his knowledge to help poor patients. Dr. Lokendra Singh's work at the hospital is very remarkable. A total of 74,263 patients were treated in the out-patient department of CIIMS hospital in 2016. In 2018, the number of patients increased to 81, 214. Dr. Singh has played a major role in making CIIMS what it is today. Last year, 4,000 new patients came to CIIMS due to the latest comfort and convenience available at the hospital. The number of surgeries also increased. Last year a total of 1870 surgeries and1379 neuro-surgeries were performed at the CIIMS.
Of the 113 beds in the hospital, 20 beds have been reserved for poor patients. It has 10 beds for people Below the Poverty Line. A 100% free services are provided to these patients. Ten beds have been reserved for those patients whose annual income is less than Rs 1,60,000 and they are given 50 per cent concession in hospital fees. Apart from this, the poor patients admitted in the hospital are also offered medicines at a nominal price.

Dr. Jagannath Dixit, Specialist in Public Health, Latur
Dr Jagannath Dixit is a well-known health specialist who is credited with a unique method of overcoming obesity and controlling diabetes. He has popularised Dr Jagannath Dixit diet method which is also known as ‘two meal’ method to control diabetes and reduce weight. Dr. Dixit is a household name today. His approach goes beyond the language, the province, the caste and the religion. His 'two meals a day' method has encouraged a lot of discussion. Basically, this method was invented by late Dr. Shrikant Jichkar. He had propagated the method of eating only twice a day. Dr Dixit carried it further and used the same method of self-examination, studied many methods and experimented with this method beforehand and later introduced this methodology of controlling weight and diabetes through various lectures.
He has been working in government medical colleges for the last 28 years. At present, he is working as Professor and Head of the Department of Public Health Pharmacology in Government Medical College, Latur. His educational qualifications include MD, PGDHA, PGDHRM. He got three national and five state-level awards for his good work in health education. Maharashtra Health Science University honoured him with the Best Teacher Award. He has written two books for medical students, one for nursing students, and 20 for the general public. He has been active in the blood donation movement and he has donated blood more than 50 times. He has worked as a consultant for many international organisations such as WHO and UNICEF. He has published more than 40 research papers in various medical journals. He has been working for an obesity and diabetes free India campaign. Through this campaign, through Whatsapp and Facebook, he has added 450,000 more people directly from 37 countries. His colleagues have given more than 300 lectures on this topic. Lectures by Dr Dixit in Marathi, Hindi and English are very popular on YouTube and millions of people have watched them. The Maharashtra government has appointed him as a Brand Ambassador of the Disaster Management movement.

Dr. Ranjit Jagtap, Cardiolgist, Pune Earlier whenever, doctors suggested the name 'bypass' operation, it would scare the living daylights out of many people. That was because till a few years ago, a patient would have to suffer a big hole drilled into his or her chest. To start with, the chest ribs had to be cut; but now that has become history. With the advancement of technology, there is no need to cut through the rib. The size of big hole has now reduced to five centimetres on the chest. These surgeries are continuously improving; the contribution of eminent heart surgeon Dr. Ranjit Jagtap in this procedure is important. He has done many such operations. His name is taken with respect by the world's leading cardiologists. He has expertise in cardiothoracic surgery. He has set up a hospital equipped with the latest equipment at the 'Ram Mangal Heart Foundation' at Fatima Nagar in Pune. It is the first hospital in Pune to provide all types of cardiac surgeries under one roof.
Dr. Jagtap completed his medical education from renowned B.J. Medical College. He had won the gold medal for the general surgery in MBBS and MS courses. From KEM Hospital in Mumbai and Sheth G.S. college, he got an education in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. The leading cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. G. B. Parulkar provided guidance to him. Next, he got latest education in 'Adult Cardiac Surgery' from the Bristol Royal Infirmary in England and updated on paediatric surgery from Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Dr. Jagtap has been performing heart surgeries since1988; till date, he has successfully completed more than 30,000 surgeries. In the last few years, he has brought together a team of expert doctors and has established a hospital in Pune that provides a cutting edge and latest treatment for heart-related diseases. He is linked to some of the well-known hospitals in Pune. Dr. Jagtap has given a fresh lease of life to many patients by performing the most difficult and complicated operation.

Dr. Pravin Suryvanshi, MGM, Aurangabad
The general patient sees the doctor as a provider. The doctor is looked upon as the person who saves the patient from death and who relieves him of pain. He is an image of God for patients. Dr Pravin Suryawanshi is a well-known name among the patients. He is the dean of the renowned Mahatma Gandhi Mission or MGM medical college of Aurangabad.
Dr. Pravin Suryawanshi is as much skilled as a surgeon, as he is as a medical service administrator. He has been effectively working as MGM's chief endoscopist, advanced laparoscopic hepato-pancreatic-biliary and dons varied hats as liver transplant surgeon, professor and head of department of surgery and as the chief executive officer of the medical research institute.
At the annual conference of Indian Society of Gastroenterology, which was held in Hyderabad in 2010, he won the first rank in endoscopic video presentation. He is recognised as the first surgeon of the most advanced laproscopic and endoscopic surgeries in Central and Eastern Maharashtra. He has the honour of doing the first surgery of liver transplantation in East and Central Maharashtra. He is invited as a specialist guide to national workshops on laparoscopic surgery. Dr Suryawanshi presided over the National Council on Bariatric and Metabolic syndrome, held in MGM in 2016. He was honoured by the Aurangabad branch of Lions Club, Aurangabad and Indian Medical Association honoured him as the best teacher in 2016. That very year he took over as the convener secretary of the National Council of Postgraduate Surgeons in MGM. He also showed his administrative acumen as the organising secretary of western regional convention titled ‘Endoworld’ which was held in MGM in 2017. In 2018, Sant Tukaram Medical Foundation of Aurangabad honoured him with the Maratha Bhushan Award. In 2018 he played the role of head of the organising committee of the Council of Accredited ACRS and Fellowship and Instructional Courses. Dr Pravin Suryawanshi was honoured by Mumbai's renowned Tata Memorial Centre and Navy Foundation under the 'Fight Against Cancer' campaign.

Dr. Vijay Kakatkar, Orthopedic, Nasik
When somebody mentions the word orthopaedist or bone doctor in Nashik, Dr. Vijay Kakatkar's name easily comes to mind. His name is taken with respect. He is well-known throughout the state too. He has a very intimate relationship with the patient. Actress Aishwarya Rai was injured when shooting for 'Khakee' in Nashik's Trimbakeshwar area a few years ago. At the time of Aishwarya's treatment, the first name that came to mind was that of Dr. Kakatkar. Aishwarya Rai was moved to Mumbai only after taking her first treatment from him.
He started practising in Nashik when there were only a few orthopaedists there. Even today he is providing services through the latest tools. His contributions to the social and education movements are huge, not only through medical services but also via the Nashik Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, other social and educational institutions.
Dr. Kakatkar, a resident of Sangamner taluka of Ahmednagar district, got his education at Sangamner up to Class VIII. He completed his further school and college education in Pune. After studying MBBS in BJYM in Pune, he received his 'Orthopaedist' degree in Pune. After that he came to Nashik for internship. He worked for a while at KEM in Mumbai. But he chose Nashik as his work place and started his medical practice there in 1977. At that time there were very few orthopaedists in Nashik.
He is the founder member of the Maharashtra State Orthopaedic Association. Apart from this, he is a life member of many national and international organisations. He has worked as an office-bearer on many organisations including American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Medical (Doctor) Mumbai

Dr. Neeta Warti, Gynecologist, Mumbai
Dr Nita Varti is a senior Laparoscopic surgeon and is associated with Breach Candy Hospital, Jaslok Hospital, Hinduja Healthcare Surgical Institute, Surya Iva, Sanjeevani Endoscopy Centre, Galaxy Care and Zulekha Hospital (Dubai). She has gained distinction in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s Nair Hospital. She has received training of Endoscopy from a German Institution. Her team has received the American Association of Gynaecologists Laparoscopic Council Award in 2016. Dr Varti has invented the ‘Laparoscopic Shirodkar Sling Surgery’. This surgery has been noted in the Shaw Textbook of Gynaecology. Dr Varti has also delivered several lectures on Laparoscopy at national and international levels and also written many articles in medical journals. She has received a prominent place in Limca and Guinness Book of World Record for removing 9.028 kilogram tumour from the body of a patient in 2018. In July 2018, she had actively contributed in a successful uterus transplant surgery conducted at Galaxy Care Centre at Pune. A mother’s uterus was transplanted in a daughter through this surgery. The teams of doctors from all over the world had gathered at Pune to study this surgery.

Dr. Shripad Banawali, children's cancer specialists, Tata Hospital, Mumbai
He received B.E. (Paediatric hematology- Oncology) degree from America’s American Academy of Paediatrics. He then received an opportunity to treat the cancer in children at ‘Memsef’ Saint Jude Centre but he rejected it and returned to India to serve his countrymen. He soon found that the parents were ignoring onset of cancer in children due to costly treatment. He then initiated several projects to gain government aid for such children. Dr Shripad is the head of the Paediatric Oncology department at Tata Memorial Centre and is also the convener of the Centre’s rural outreach programme. He is working for more than 35 years now in the field of medicine. Last year, Giants Group of Byculla felicitated him with the Excellence in Healthcare Award for his contribution in the field of medicine. He has also received the City Icon Award for treating cancer in children.America’s Society of Hematologic Oncology has honoured him for his contribution. He has written several research papers on various subjects including Study of Oncogens, Study of Cell Cycle Kinetic, Study of Hematopoietic Progenetor, etc. He is also fond of music, sports and poetry.

Dr. Anita Borjes, Pathology, Mumbai
Dr Anita Borges is the director of the SRL Diagnostic Pvt Ltd’s Histopathology Centre. She is working as cancer pathologist in UK, the US and India for the past 25 years. She has a degree in Medicine and Pathology from Nayar Hospital, Mumbai. She is presently the president of Clinical Laboratories of The National Accreditation Board for Testing Laboratories. She received training on Cancer from New York’s Royal Marsedon Hospital and The Memorial Slown Ketring Memorial Cancer Centre. She had worked as a surgical pathologist at Tata Memorial Hospital for more than 20 years. She is presently the deputy director of the International Academy of Pathology (Asia) and is also shouldering the responsibility as the Dean of the Indian College of Pathologists. She had studied in India, New York and London.

Dr. Rajat Kapoor, Cosmetic Surgeon,Mumbai
Dr Rajat Kapoor is a renowned Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon and has been working at various private and government hospitals at Mumbai for over 15 years. He has contributed immensely to the surgeries conducted on the victims of the 26/11 terror attack at Mumbai. He is known for Liposuction, breast transplant, facelift, anti-ageing, Botox, Skin tightening and other related surgeries. However, Dr Kapoor is a specialist in hair transplant surgery. In Lalit Salve case at Saint George Hospital at Beed, the doctors had played a very vital role. Dr Kapoor had conducted the initial surgery on Salve for sex reassignment. After this surgery, several sex reassignment surgeries were conducted on the patients from all over the country at the hospital. This department was started for the first time in government hospitals and college. Dr Kapoor is presently the head of this department.

Administration : IAS :Promising

Ashwin Mudgal, Collector, Nagpur

Avinash Dhakane, Commissioner, Solapur Municipal Corporation

Rajesh Deshmukh, Collector, Yavatmal

Rajesh Narvekar, Collector, Thane

Dr. Vijay Suryavanshi, Collector, Raigad

Ashwin Mudgal, Collector, Nagpur
Ashwin Mudgal is an IAS officer of the 2007 batch and he joined the services as Deputy Collector of Nashik. In 2008 for some months, he was also deputy collector at Pandharpur in Solapur.
On April 2017, he assumed charge as Municipal Commissioner of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and later was appointed as the Chairman of Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT). Since 19th April, 2018 he is working as District Collector of Nagpur. As NIT chairman, he was also in-charge of Nagpur Metro Region Development Authority (NMRDA). As Municipal Commissioner he was instrumental in setting up Nuisance Detection Squads which used to impose fine on people littering public places.
Mudgal also set up 13,000 individual and 15 public toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission in Nagpur city which was declared as open defecation-free city. During His tenure the NMC introduced the system of segregation of wet and dry garbage, introduced mobile app for citizens feedback. He also was instrumental in improving 29 primary health centres in the city with the help of Tata Group. As District Collector, Mudgal focused on Jalyukta Shivar Yojana and constructed panddan roads to connect villages and also started construction of cheaper dwellings for the poor, besides treatment on 13 mld sewerage water to supply it to Mahagenco. NMC is poised to get Rs 35 crore from this venture.

Avinash Dhakane, Commissioner, Solapur Municipal Corporation
As Municipal Commissioner Dr Dhakne completed languishing projects like underground drainage, set up three sewerage treatment plants in just 18 months. He also stopped the leakages in water supply pipeline between Ujani reservoir and Solapur city resulting in additional supply of one crore liters. Dr Dhakne also got mutated 52 properties worth Rs 50 crore in favour of Solapur Municipal Corporation.
A completely non-partisan and fearless officer, Dr Dhakne was also the person who declared guardian minister Subhash Deshmukh’s bungalow as illegal construction by filing an affidavit in High Court. He was also instrumental in getting sanctions to several projects under the Centre’s Smart City project.
By bringing in discipline in the Solapur Municipal Corporation, Dr Dhakne put new breath in its demoralised employees. Apart from this, he also improved the gardens and parks, municipal hospitals, schools and started bio-energy project for garbage to put Solpaur Municipal Corporation as a vibrant civic body.

Rajesh Deshmukh, Collector, Yavatmal
Earlier Yavatmal district was known as the Cotton Capital but due to agrarian crisis it assumed the sobriquet as 'Suicide Capital' some years back. However, after Dr Rajesh Deshmukh became the District Collector he successfully implemented several welfare schemes for farmers and brought down the number of farmers suicides by 129.
He also prevailed upon State Bank of India not to delay farm loans by shutting down 17 bank accounts of District Collectorate and withdrew Rs 2 crore from them and taught a lesson to banks in the districts. This resulted in banks doubling their crop loans to Rs 1236.36 crore to 1.85 lakh farmers in just one year.
In 2018, as many as 22 farmers succumbed to insecticide poisoning. But the agriculture department was avoiding to take action against the pesticide shops and pesticide companies. Dr Deshmukh formed teams of Tehsildars and other officials and raided the pesticide shops and also filed cases against 12 shopkeepers and pesticide companies found violating regulations. The farmers in the district were so petrified by the pesticide poisoning that they almost stopped spraying pesticides on crops. Dr Deshmukh took upon himself the task of spraying pesticides to remove the fear of pesticides among farmers. He also distributed 40,000 kits that offered protection from pesticide poisoning to farmers to bolster the moral of farmers.
During his tenure Dr Deshmukh constructed 700 farm ponds in a single year and organised Satyameva Jayate Water Cup tournament to promote irrigation of crops.
This year he has taken up implementing Jalyukta Shivar Yojana and sunk 24,193 bore wells to provide irrigation to 48,000 hectares of land. Dr Deshmukh was also instrumental in land acquisition for Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded rail link project and road projects worth Rs 802.10 crore.

Rajesh Narvekar, Collector, Thane
Civil Servant Rajesh Narvekar has diverse experience in working in several administrative departments and he is considered the pioneer of starting several innovative developmental projects. Born on May 18, 1968, Narvekar has done MA in History and is an IAS of 2009 batch. Prior to joining as District Collector at Thane, Narvekar was the Deputy Secretary to the chief minister.
He began his career as civil servant in 1994 as deputy collector at Rantagiri. Later on he also occupied the posts in entertainment tax, stamp duty, MHADA, MIDC and divisional commissionerate, before joining as Deputy Secretary to CM. During his stint in MIDC, he started the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) for which he also visited Japan for orientation training. During his stint as CEO of Raigad Zilla Parishad, he started the Sanitation drive in rural areas under the Swachha Bharat Mission and Prime Ministers Awas Yojana aggressively. While working in stamp duty department he was instrumental in launching digital platforms namely I-Sarita, e-payment, stamp duty registration. As deputy secretary to CM, he also handled the sensitive department like urban development successfully.

Dr. Vijay Suryavanshi, Collector, Raigad
Dr Vijay Suryawanshi began his career as a Customs Officer in Mumbai on April 7, 1992. He was later made the District Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies at Mumbai, Nashik and Ahmednagar. Later on he joined the Cooperative Training Institute Yashada as Assistant Professor. After his inculcation in Civil Services, Dr Suryawanshi occupied several posts in Mantralaya, Mumbai, Deputy CEO of IT Cell of MIDC, CEO of Kolhapur and newly-created Palghar Zilla Parishad and as District Collector of Gondia. Later on he also served as private secretary to Defense Minister in New Delhi till July 26, 2017 when he was appointed as CEO of Raigad Zilla Parishad. AS ZP CEO, Dr Suryawanshi vigorously implemented welfare schemes in education, health, drinking water through his Operation Kayapalat (Transformation). This brought him accolades from across the state and he was also nominated for the Prime Minister’s National Award for Civic Services in 2014-15. During his tenure the health index of Raigad improved and the state government decided to implement ‘Operation Kayapalat’ all over the state and the centre also instituted a Kayakalp Prize after it.
Dr Suryawanshi also implemented 'one family one job' scheme and provided one job to 1095 BPL families. Under his ‘Gudhi Padwa School Enrollment Scheme’, over 80 per cent admissions to schools were done in single day. To enforce plastic ban, over 14,000 ZP employees also started using cloth bags instead of polythene bags. Under the Reverse Migration scheme 64 families were resettled in their home district of Raigad. He also reduced the starvation deaths of children and mothers in Karjat tehsil. Dr Suryawanshi also set up coast guards at 24 beaches in Raigad district and introduced a 'Six Pack' scheme to encourage youths to join Indian Armed Forces.

Administration -IPS- Promising

Abhishek Trimukhe, DCP, Zone 1, Mumbai

Harsh Poddar, DCP, Zone 5, Nagpur

Jyotipriya Singh, DCP, AOW, Cyber Crime, Pune

N. Ambika, DCP, Zone 4, Mumbai

Sanjay Darade, SP, Nashik Rural

Abhishek Trimukhe, DCP, Zone 1, Mumbai
Abhishek Trimukhe was born in Hingoli but grew up in Akola. He got his first posting in 2007 as assistant superintendent in communally sensitive Malegaon and was promoted as additional superintendent in Naxalite-affected Gadchiroli and later as SP in Sindhudurg and Osmanabad. When posted as DCP (Crime) in Thane, he uncovered the petrol scam and raided 58 petrol pumps in Maharashtra. He also uncovered the CDR illegal sale and purchase, arrested India's first female 'detective' Rajani Pandit, fraud telephone exchanges in Thane and Mumbra, gold loan companies and gangsters targeting jewellers. Seeing his dedication, he was posted as DCP in the extremely sensitive Zone 1 in Mumbai in July 29, 2018. He uncovered the job racket using forged letters from the railway minister. His jurisdiction includes Mantralaya, High Court, BMC headquarters, Azad Maidan, Gateway of India. He has also solved many high profile cases in Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Azad Maidan, MRA marg, Dongri and other places.

Harsh Poddar, DCP, Zone 5, Nagpur
Harsh Poddar is a dashing, young and innovative officer. He resigned a plush job abroad and returned to serve the nation. His work as assistant superintendent in communally sensitive Malegaon earned him accolades not only in the state but throughout the country. He implemented Project 'Udan' for unemployed youth, which gave free guidance on employment. About 24,000 youths in Malegaon benefitted from this project. He also started Maharashtra Police Youth Parliament to fight against crime, terrorism and religious fundamentalism and 42,000 youths participated in this project by 2018. He was felicitated by the state government for this endeavour. During the Bhima Koregaon episode, clashes took place in many parts of the state but Malegaon remained peaceful. During the June 2018 violence in Malegaon, he protected a family and it is the first such incident in this period. He implemented public awareness plans and took criminal action against fake news. He has helped the CID in two big economic offences and has also written a book 'Guntavanuk ghotalache kaiyadwar.' Due to his efforts, Vaijapur police station became the first smart police station in the state.

Jyotipriya Singh, DCP, AOW, Cyber Crime, Pune
Known for her dauntless approach, IPS officer Jyoti Priya Singh is DCP of Economic and Cyber crimes wing in Pune. She is currently investigating the cyber attack on Cosmos Bank in 2018. So far 11 persons, who stole the the money, have been arrested. The name of the prime accused is known and Interpol help is being taken in this case. She is also investigating the fraud of renowned Pune builder D S Kulkarni. Jyoti Priya Singh is especially known for her action against road Romeos. She roamed Kolhapur on a motor bike and herself took action against road Romeos. In Ahmednagar she took action against illegal businesses. During Ahmednagar municipal elections, two Shiv Sena activists were killed. The citizens had then demanded that Jyoti Priya Singh be recalled. Born in Lucknow, Jyoti Priya Singh is a Masters in Bio Science and was crowned 'Miss Zoology' in her college and belongs to the 2008 batch of IPS. Her father is Arjun awardee Ranveer Singh, Assistant Commander of 35 Battalion and mother is a professor while her sister is working in an IT company in Australia. Her husband is a colonel and they have two children.

N. Ambika, DCP, Zone 4, Mumbai
N Ambika, a home-maker, not only passed the IPS but is a fearless officer, known as the 'Lady Singham' of Mumbai police. She appeared for her IPS examination after becoming the mother of two children. She was inducted into the police force in 2009 and worked as additional superintendent in Akola and Jalgaon followed by SP of Hingoli. After a dashing show as DCP in Nashik, she was posted as DCP Zone 4 in Mumbai in May 2016. Her jurisdiction includes sensitive Antop Hill and Kalachowky areas and she has solved many tangled offences. She did not allow her family and children to obstruct her duties. Even today, she leaves her children at home in the dead of night to visit the site of offence. She has taken many measures to contain crimes against aged persons, women and minors. She said that her job was to do her duty anywhere as a government servant.

Sanjay Darade, SP, Nashik Rural
Sanjay Darade, who studied in a municipal school and did his B.E. in mechanical engineering joined the police in 2005 and is presently SP of Nashik district. He uncovered an inter-state firearms racket by apprehending a large cache of firearms at Chandwad toll naka. He led the investigations into a theft case of Rs 3.25 crore worth of jewellery in Pimpalgaon Baswant within 12 hours. He has installed GPS on 100 patrolling vehicles. Using social media, he started independent pages of police to hear complaints and tips of illegal activities. He has been instrumental in starting four Damini teams for security of women and also 'Say No' campaign. He implemented many programmes in Malegaon for maintaining communal harmony. He launched many programmes like 'Run for Unity', 'Run for Peace' and 'Run for Safety'. He started 'Qaumi Ekta Cricket' match in Malegaon and implemented 'Ek Gaon, Ek Ganpati' programme in over a thousand villages.

Business

B.S. Rajpal , Manjeet Cotton

Janhavi Dhariwal , Manikchand Oxyrich

Vinay Kumar , Rao IIT

Vishal Agarwal , Plasto Tanks & Pipes

Vishal Chordia , Suhana Masale

B.S. Rajpal , Manjeet Cotton
Bhupendra Singh Rajpal, Managing Director, Manjeet Cotton Group
Manjeet Cotton Group, led by Managing Director Bhupendra Singh Rajpal, is a
diversified group having investments in raw cotton ginning, spinning,
renewable energy, real estate and in field of education.
Founded in 1982, the group flagship company Manjeet Cotton Private Ltd has
steadily grown to become the largest ginner of raw cotton in India, with
operations spread across all the eight cotton growing states. Also it is the
largest exporter of cotton bales from India.
It has ginning and pressing units with production capacity of over 9000
bales per day and annual capacity of 1.2 million bales covering almost 5% of
India's total production.
The company has modern cotton processing facilities and quality control
mechanism. The Group trains farmers in adapting to new techniques and also
promotes organic cotton farming. All its plants are operated by solar power
and windmills.

Janhavi Dhariwal, Managing Director, Manikchand Group, Pune
Janhavi Dhariwal obtained a graduate degree in commerce in 2006 and began
working in Makichand Group of Industries. Initially, she looked after the
affairs of Nandadeep Paper Product Private Ltd, the printing business of the
family. The business, which was incurring losses, was facing problems like
old machines, unskilled labourers and raw material issues. Janhavi made many
quality changes in the business. Activities like printing and collection
began under one roof. After this, she led the Oxyrich, the bottled water
product of the company and brought about 300 per cent growth in it.
Currently, she is handling the construction business of the group also. In
the year 2009, she won the Best Woman Businessperson award. She is also
known for her social work activities.

Vinay Kumar, MD & CEO, Rao IIT Academy
Vinay Kumar is a B. Tech in mechanical engineering and a postgraduate in
Marine Engineering. He has worked with UK and Norway-based marine companies
as an executive in engineering and subsequently as a management officer.
He joined Rao IIT Academy in 2008 and as a young entrepreneur tried to
develop it like an educational conglomerate. He brought with him
professional expertise of corporate world which was helpful in fast
scalability of the academy as a leading national brand in 7 years itself.
Various new modules in coaching like association with educational trusts,
bringing high definition online teaching content and creating a growth
driven business module were instrumental in growth of Rao IIT Academy.
Today, he foresees a great future for the Academy and is confident to make
it the most successful national brand for competitive examinations
preparation in the coming 4-5 years.

Vishal Agrawal, Director, R C Plasto Tanks and Pipes Pvt Ltd
Vishal Agrawal, Director, R C Plasto Tanks and Pipes Pvt Ltd
R C Plasto Tanks and Pipes Pvt Ltd is the world's largest tank manufacturing
factory. Started in 1999 as a Mega Project Unit, it manufactures the best
quality plastic products including water storage tanks, pipes and fittings.
Under the able leadership of Director Vishal Agrawal, the company, which has
generated 2000 jobs, is growing with CAGR of 30% achieving turnover of Rs
500 crore in a very short period of time.
The company has modern imported machinery for production and aims at
achieving consumer delight by winning their trust. The Group is planning
three new Mega Projects at an investment of Rs 1,000 crore.
Vishal Agrawal, who has two decades of experience in plastic industry, is a
highly energetic and focused team builder and motivational speaker,
especially popular among college students. He has led various industries
associations in Vidarbha and is an active member of Entrepreneurs
Organisation.

Vishal Chordiya, Director, Pravin Masalewale & Suhana Group of Industries
Vishal Chordiya, who is the Director of Pravin Masalewale and Suhana Group
of Industries, joined the family business after obtaining an MBA degree.
Under his leadership as chairman, the Maharashtra State Khadi and Village
Industries Development Board adopted professional outlook. The Board began
imparting vocational training to artists and producers and also made
available necessary financial assistance. Professional mindset must be
inculcated among local arts and industrial circles if one wants to achieve
economic progress of the rural masses, he feels and has introduced two
brands Mahakhadi and Mahagram to make Make in India products compete
globally. Under Mahakhadi brand, all handicraft and handmade products
including footwear, soap, incense stick, attractive terracotta utensils and
bamboo artistry, will be marketed. Various detergents and chemicals will be
introduced under Mahagram brand. Chordiya is the president of Lakshya
Foundation, which is extending a helping hand to budding sportsmen.
He gave a new look to the traditional Pravin Masale brand of the family by
way of Suhana Masale. Studying the Indian market, he introduced Ready to
Cook products, apart from traditional pickles and spices. Currently, Suhana
Masale has 150 products with annual turnover of Rs 600 crore, nine
production centres and marketing network in the country and abroad.

CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility)

Bajaj Auto, Mumbai

Ceat Tyres, Mumbai

JSW Foundation, Mumbai

Reliance Foundation, Mumbai

Tata Motors, Mumbai

Bajaj Auto, Mumbai
The two flagship projects for Bajaj Auto have been the Bajaj Education Initiative (BEI) and the e-Learning Project. The BEI covers 76 low cost schools (a mix of private and government schools) in Pimpri-Chinchwad area of Pune, and supports them with infrastructure development and capacity building. The e-Learning project has reached more than 1550 schools till date- covering Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Both of these are implemented by Jankidevi Bajaj Gram Vikas Sanstha, our own NGO.
In addition Bajaj Auto has supported school infrastructure development, vocational training for entrepreneurship, teach-to-lead as well as scholarships for meritorious students.
Bajaj Auto is also supporting Bhartiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) in training 25000 young persons in Aurangabad and Wardha to create 1000 entrepreneurs in 5 years. Over 177 entrepreneurs have been created in first 2 years of the project.
For more details: https://www.bajajauto.com/corporate-social-responsibility

RPG Foundation - CEAT Tyres
RPG Foundation’s vision of ‘‘holistic empowerment’’ of our community has led them implementing in multiple sustainable initiatives which has had maximum societal impact by identifying the critical need gaps. RPG Foundation has implemented initiatives in domains of eye care, women empowerment, education and local community development. RPG Foundation also leads and executes the group companies’ social outreach programs.
Their projects include roadsmarrt, Swayam, Netranjali, Saksham, Sanjeevani, Jeevan and Pehlay Akshar
For more details: https://www.ceat.com/roadsmarrt

JSW Foundation, Mumbai
JSW Foundation is the social development arm of JSW with an ideology that every life is important and must be given fair opportunities to make best out of it. To be true to this ideology, the foundation has been working for various projects.
They are working relentlessly to tackle the issue of malnutrition, facilitating to make learning more effective and meaningful, empowering the youth through employable skill programs, ensuring water security through long-term watershed development programs, providing access to sanitation facilities in rural areas to make them open defecation free, preserve and conserve national heritage and promotion of sports.
For more details: https://www.jsw.in/foundation/about-jsw-foundation

Reliance Foundation, Mumbai
Over the years, Reliance Foundation’s initiatives have continued to evolve, while remaining responsive to the ever-changing needs of society. The Foundation is ceaselessly focusing on creating change in areas of Rural Transformation, Health, Education, Sports for Development, Disaster Response, Arts, Culture & Heritage and Urban Renewal.
For more details: https://www.reliancefoundation.org/who-we-are

Tata Motors, Mumbai
At Tata Motors, their efforts are focused on improving the quality of life of underprivileged communities neighbouring their business operations. The company’s interventions focus on health, education, employability and environment, impacting over 6,44,000 lives in India.
Programmes of Tata Motors is committed to sustainable development, where business goes hand in hand with societal wellbeing and environmental consciousness.
For more details: https://www.tatamotors.com/corporate-social-responsibility/

Politics:Promising

Kapil Patil, State President, Loktantrik Janata Dal

Sachin Ahir, NCP, Mumbai

MLA Prashant Thakur, BJP, Panvel

Sanjay Rathod, Shiv Sena, MoS Revenue, Yavatmal

Satyajeet Tambe, Congress, Mumbai

Satyajeet Tambe, Congress, Mumbai
Maharashtra Youth Congress president Satyajit Tambe is one of the prominent youth leaders of Maharashtra. At the age of 16, he joined politics. Although he was born with a political legacy, he succeeded in creating his own identity. Through the Congress, he organised a statewide agitation. In 2002, he became the state general secretary of students wing of Congress. In 2007, he started taking active interest in politics through Youth Congress. Twice he was elected as member of Zilla Parishad and raised voice over problems prevailing in the rural areas.
From 2007 to 2012, he was made the General Secretary of Youth Congress and vice president twice after 2012. In September 2018 he became the president of the Maharashtra Youth Congress. Youth Congress is currently running 'Chalo Panchayat' campaign throughout the State. Its aim is to reach 25,000 villages and 5 crore people. On the fourth anniversary of the Fadnavis government, Youth Congress organised its unique protest called ‘Nishedhasan’ under his leadership in the various parts of the State. His agitation attracted the nationwide attention. He also launched an agitation throughout the State against inflation. In order to guide the unemployed youth, he organised 'Job Fair' in Ahmednagar district. His Jai Hind Youth organisation is also popular among the youths.

Sachin Ahir, NCP, Mumbai
Sachin Ahir’s political journey began from being a labourer to being a minister. Ahir, who was a worker in the Khatau Fabrics group, became a leader of the workers on the strength of his organisational skills. He has been president of the internationally acclaimed National Mill Workers' Union for more than 22 years. He has been working for 22 years in the Maharashtra State National Workers' Union. He is successfully leading the workers in 250 factories and establishments in Maharashtra, and Gujarat. He ensured that dues worth crore of rupees is paid to the mill workers in Mumbai. He has got the leadership of workers of prominent companies like Mahindra and Mahindra and Mazgaon Dock. He is also leading the fight for the unorganised workers in Ola and Uber companies. He became president of the Nationalist Congress Party, Mumbai, for the fourth time. He was elected as NCP MLA in 1999. Three times in a row, he was elected as MLA. He helped solve the problems like fuel hike, school environment, nullah-cleaning, inflation, unemployment, etc.
During 2009 to 2013, he was the Minister of State for Housing. The mill workers of Mumbai got the housing rights. He was honoured at the hands of the President as an excellent parliamentarian for his outstanding work in the Legislature. While working as Chairman of the Bombay Housing and Reconstruction Board, he did the repair and reconstruction work of 'dangerous buildings' in Mumbai.

MLA Prashant Thakur, BJP, Panvel
MLA Prashant Thakur, Raigad’s BJP district president, is a household name in Panvel city. He has friendly relations with all the political parties. His brand of politics is unique and loved by one and all in the constituency. His father Ramsheth Thakur is an ex-MP. Prashant had a political inclination since childhood. Panvel Municipal Council became the laboratory of politics and social work for him. In 2006, he was elected as a corporator and also became the municipal council president. In 2009, he reached the Legislative Assembly on Congress ticket.
In 2014, he started an agitation against his own party for commencing the toll naka on Sion-Panvel highway in Kharghar. He contested the 2014 elections on BJP ticket and went to the Legislative Assembly for the second time. He had an important role to play in turning Panvel into the municipal corporation in Navi Mumbai. BJP won the first elections of the Panvel Municipal Corporation under Thakur in 2016. Panvel had an important role to play in the urban face of the city. He was elected as the president of CIDCO in 2018, member of the Lokayukta Committee of the Legislature, director of Janardhan Shikshan Prasarak Sangh, president of Ramsheth Thakur Samaj Vikas Mandal, vice-president of Maharashtra State Badminton Association, Panvel branch, president of All India Marathi Natya Parishad, etc. Presently he is the president of Raigad district, Navi Mumbai BJP. He took an initiative in sanctioning of three hundred-bed hospital for Panvel.
He has won Nehru Yuva Kendra's 'Best Youth Award' and also the award of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Government of India. The then Congress general secretary had selected him for his 'Talent Hunt' programme.

MLA Kapil Patil, Lokbharti, Mumbai
Kapil Patil, who inherited the legacy of his teacher parents, became a member of Legislative Council thrice consecutively when it was believed that nobody could be a legislator without political background. He has acquired the identity as a studious law maker and an aggressive MLC.
Kapil Patil is originally a social activist. He cut his political teeth in Rashtra Seva Dal, Chhatrabharati Vidyarthi Sanghatana and the socialist movement. He has journeyed from being a party activist, journalist to MLC. He is still active in all the three roles. He was active in Marathwada University's renaming movement, the implementation of the Mandal Commission, the implementation of the Muslim OBC, the Sachar Commission, the fight for survival of night schools, anti-corruption movement of Anna Hazare, etc.
In 2006, he became a teacher MLC. Teachers were called 'Shikshan Sevak' in the state. He took this word as an insult to the teachers and removed the word by bringing a private Bill in the Legislative Assembly. Patil, through a legislation, ensured that the teachers in Mumbai got paid their salary through nationalised banks on the 1st of every month. He played an instrumental role in effecting changes in the curriculum of Class X-XII, on the lines of CBSE, regularised 8000 teachers in the residential schools in the state, set up a special department for the minorities and got the government to sanction six months’ maternity leave for women employees. There was tremendous opposition to the Anti-Superstition Act. At that time, he got the law approved by suggesting an alternate name such as Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Bill. Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress also praised his performance in the legislature.
The government had sanctioned subsidised housing scheme to the MLAs in Mumbai. “There are no houses for the poor in Mumbai, so why sanction houses for public representatives, bureaucrats and judicial officers from government quota?”, he had asked after becoming the first MLC to reject the house from government quota. Though he became an MLC, he continued to write. Regardless of social issues, he writes his 'blog'. He also asks questions to the government on social media.

Sanjay Rathod, Shiv Sena, MoS Revenue, Yavatmal
From being a son of a humble farmer to being the State's revenue minister, Sanjay Rathod has completed full circle. He started his political career as a Shiv Sena activist. For the last thirty years, he has been loyal to the party. He was elected three times to State Assembly. He not only worked in his Digras constituency but also in Yavatmal district. He polled maximum votes in the 2014 elections in Vidarbha and the second place in the state. He is recognised as the leader of the masses who is easily available. When he was the guardian minister of the district, he started the 'janta darbar'. The State government implemented the same initiative all over Maharashtra. He tried to solve the problems of the people on the spot. Many health camps were organised by him. When Yavatmal district hospital requires services for the patients, he deploys Shiv Sainiks. He is also leader of Banjara community. Nearly 25 lakh Banjara brethren were present at the rally organised at Poharadevi in Washim district which is known as the Kashi of Banjaras. To preserve the culture of this community, he took up the task of constructing a museum named 'Nagara' at Poharadevi.

Politics:Senior

MLA Balasaheb Thorat, Congress, Ahmednagar

Chandrashekhar Bawankule, BJP, Nagpur (State Energy Minister)

Chandrakant Patil,BJP, Kolhapur ( State Revenue Minister )

MLA Chhagan Bhujbal, NCP, Nashik

Ramdas Kadam, Environment Minister, Shiv Sena, Mumbai

Sanjay Nirupam, Mumbai Congress President, Mumbai

MLA Balasaheb Thorat, Congress, Ahmednagar
Former revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat inherited legacy of cooperative movement from his father Sahakar Maharshi Bhausaheb Thorat. On obtaining a degree in law from Pune, Balasaheb actively participated in students' fee waiver and pani panchayat movements. He established Amrutvahini Sahakari Dudh Utpadak Sanstha at his native place Jorve in 1978 and agitated for the welfare of 'Bidi' workers, supported re-naming movement of Marathwada University, farmers struggle in Sangamner and adjoining areas.Balasaheb got elected as the youngest MLA in Assembly election of 1985 and launched an agitation to get share of water for Sangamner and Akole tehsils from Bhandardara dam. He led many cooperative institutions in Sangamner.
As Minister of State for Irrigation and Command Area Development Authority in 1999, he gave impetus to Nilwande Dam project. Balasaheb, who was an MLA for 30 continuous years, led departments like Agriculture, Water Conservation, Revenue, Education, Protocol and was known as a powerful minister. He started schemes like crop insurance and accident insurance for farmers. Being a staunch Congressman, he was appointed president of candidate selection committee of Gujarat Congress and was entitled to elect leader of Congress in Himachal Pradesh. Recently, he was appointed permanent member of Congress Working Committee.

Sanjay Nirupam, Mumbai Congress President, Mumbai
Sanjay Nirupam is a formidable journalist turned politician of Congress. Hailing from Rohatas village in Bihar, Nirupam obtained a degree in political science from a Patna college and came to New Delhi in 1986, beginning his journalistic career. He joined Jansatta in 1988 in Mumbai and settled in Maharashtra. His appointment as Executive Editor of Dopahar Ka Samna, a Hindi mouthpiece of Shiv Sena in 1993, initiated him into the political arena. In 1996 and then in 2001, Shiv Sena nominated him to Rajya Sabha, though he is a non-Marathi person from North India. He did excellent job of presenting the side of Shiv Sena at the national level. In 2005, he quit Shiv Sena and joined Congress. He adorned the posts of Congress party spokesperson and general secretary of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress and was Congress observer in Goa, Gujarat and Nagaland. In 2009, he won Lok Sabha elections from the North Mumbai constituency. Nirupam is known for aggressive and studious oratory. In 2015, he was made the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee president. In spite of opposition from heavyweight leaders and groups, he made his mark and launched many agitations, rallies against the Centre and state governments.

Chandrashekhar Bawankule, BJP, Nagpur (State Energy Minister)
Chandrashekhar Bawankule was born in a modest farmer's family which faced abject poverty. His trouble doubled after the marginal land of his family was acquired for a power project forcing him to take up a job of a farm labourer first and then of an auto rickshaw driver. Notwithstanding the series of challenges, he vowed to fight for the rights of power project-affected people. He brought them together and formed an organisation Chhatrapati Sena. Later, he started working as a small contractor for earning his livelihood and continued fighting for the rights of project-hit people in Nagpur. Witnessing spark in Bawankule during a public rally, Nitin Gadkari invited him to join BJP. Bawankule contested his first Nagpur ZP election from Koradi block in 1997 on a BJP ticket and recorded an emphatic win. He repeated his victory in 2002 to become the leader of Opposition in ZP. He made hat-trick by winning Assembly elections from Nagpur between 2004 and 2014. He has been working as the cabinet minister of energy and excise since November 2014. He received appreciation from PM Narendra Modi for works done for agriculture and promoting renewable energy in the state.

Chandrakant Patil, Kolhapur (Revenue Minister)
Chandrakant Patil’s father Bachhu Patil used to serve tea to mill workers in Mumbai and now his son has become a Cabinet Minister of Maharashtra. ‘Gujarat’s chaiwala’ is prime minister of India and son of ‘chaiwala’ in Mumbai is a cabinet minister in Maharashtra. Patil received initial schooling from the Raja Shivaji Vidyalaya, Dadar. He graduated from the Siddharth College (Fort) in 1985. He was a full-time activist of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad from 1980-93 and was its national general secretary from 1990-93. He worked in Gujarat and Goa and came into contact with Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. It was in 2004 that he joined the BJP and became its Maharashtra vice-president in 2009. In June 2014, he was appointed as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council and in October 2014 was included in Maharashtra ministry. He is handling the important portfolios like Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation and Public Works Department. A Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha activist, he is considered number 2 in Maharashtra ministry. He has worked as a trouble shooter for the BJP government in major problems it faced. He is known for simple living and amiable nature.

MLA Chhagan Bhujbal, NCP, Nashik
From a common man to deputy chief minister, the political journey of Chhagan Bhujbal is truly inspiring. He began his political career in Shiv Sena and is today a frontline leader of Nationalist Congress Party. Born in old Nashik, Bhujbal lost his mother early and grew up under guardianship of his grandmother, a farm worker. He obtained diploma in mechanical engineering from VJTI (Mumbai) and inspired by late Balasaheb Thackeray, joined Shiv Sena. He was elected corporator of Mumbai Municipal Corporation in 1973 and was the mayor for two terms. He was MLA from Mazgaon (Mumbai) constituency in 1985 and 1990 and revenue minister in 1991. He left Shiv Sena to join Congress and led OBCs through Bharatiya Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad. He joined NCP formed by Sharad Pawar in 1999 and became deputy CM. He was MLC in 2002 and since 2004, he is an MLA from Yeola constituency in Nashik district. He was PWD minister from 2004 to 2008 and was deputy CM in 2008. Currently on bail in a case of corruption filed by Enforcement Directorate, he is expected to make an impact on the forthcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. He formed Mumbai Educational Trust and was trustee of various institutions.

Ramdas Kadam, Environment Minister, Shiv Sena, Mumbai
Ramdas Gangaram Kadam, known as a brave panther from Konkan, has toiled hard during his journey from being a farmer’s son to a minister. After early education, he went to Mumbai. On completing the old matriculation examination, he got a job in Mahindra and Mahindra company. He became a union leader there and his aggressive and gutsy style of functioning became popular. He was elected corporator in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. In 1990, he defeated a Congress heavyweight in Khed tehsil in Konkan dealing a body blow to the party. He went on to easily win 1995, 1999 and 2004 Assembly elections. He was the minister of state for important ministries like Home and Food and Civil Supplies during the reign of Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata party in 1995. His action against dance bars functioning till late night made headlines. In 2005, Narayan Rane quit Sena. Balasaheb appointed Kadam a strong leader, as leader of Opposition. Due to restructuring of Khed Assembly constituency and rebellion in Sena-BJP alliance he lost election in 2009 but was later nominated to the Legislative Council. In 2014, Kadam was made environment minister in Sena-BJP ministry. His firm stand on banning plastic has been admired.

All names arranged alphabetically
(Names of Ex and Serving Chief Ministers have not been included in this list)